Rollin Dean Schimmel

Rollin Dean Schimmel, 61 of Pendleton and formerly of La Grande, died May 20 in Klickitat County, Wash., in a rafting accident.

A private graveside service will be at the Olney Cemetery. A celebration of life will begin at 1 p.m. June 15 a the Pendleton convention Center, 1601 Westgate, Pendleton.

Mr. Schimmel was born in Hillsboro to Rollo and Vivian (Duncan) Schimmel on Jan. 1, 1945. He grew up on a dairy farm in Goble and attended school in Rainier.

After graduation from Rainier Union High school in 1963, he moved to La Grande where he attended Eastern Oregon College and became a standout wrestler.

After graduating he moved to pendleton and was employed at pendleton High School where he coached wrestling and football.

Mr. Schimmel was active in Knights of Pythias, Order of the Antelope, The Pendleton City Club and various other organizations.

He was a member of the Oregon High School Wrestling Hall of FAme, Eastern Oregon University Athletic Hall of Fame, and was 1967 NAIA national wrestling champion. He was also a member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and founded the Pendleton Youth Wrestling Club.

He enjoyed community projects and was very active in all he did. He was always on the go.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one grandchild.

He is survived by his fiance', Joyce Follis; brothers Irwin Schimmel of Vancouver, Wash., Don Schimmel of Longview , Wash., and Larry Schimmel of Gilbert, Ariz.; sons Rick Schimmel of Pendleton and Randy Schimmel of Oregon City; 11 grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.